Review: TMNT: Jennika II #2

Anyone who knows the mad talent that is Brahm Revel knows we“re in for a monstrous treat with Jennika II #2. The story here is solid but it“s clearly secondary to the jaw dropping art in every panel.

Here Mutant Town has been invaded by monsters and Jennika has only the questionable assistance of Ivan to keep things under control. The real question behind the series is who the true villains are, the monsters, Ivan or the prejudices which keep the respective sides from understanding each other.

Jennika works to keep the monsters off the streets and contained so as to not startle the larger world about the powder keg that is Mutant Town. She initially only succeeds in causing the monsters to fight each other and start a fire endangering the locals.

There is a clear political backdrop to this story and a conservative angle to some of the the writing which is unusual in comics. Jannika complains the Fire Department can“t help because it“s been defunded. An aid package for the city is on hold. A news chopper decides the destruction isn“t worth covering without a clear ”˜boogey man“. It“s unusual to have a comic line up against ”˜fake news“ and give out such a seemingly conservative message although it is a bit more balanced as the story proceeds. There is also a larger issue with Ivan who creating these monsters with his attempt at a cure and is hoarding food and supplies for himself like it“s toilet paper.

The townspeople tell Jannika of other more ancient monsters called the Shadow People that live below the town and they claim bring bad luck, changing form and eating children. Ivan rants against the Whisperers as they feed off society without contributing to it as a clear parallel to accusations about illegal aliens, although Jennika argues they might not be as different or as insidious as Ivan believes. After a quick battle Jennika and Ivan are captured by the Shadow People.

The art throughout the issue is perfection. It“s a monster movie on the page with the attacking creatures and Morlock-like Shadow People allowing Revel to go all out. Every panel tells a story and every bit of the page gives some new perspective. To have such an original, well developed and thought-provoking style is an unusual gift. Add to it all the different ways the issue looks at political and societal issues and it makes for a thoughtful intriguing series worth checking out even as we continue to gain more depth around the character of Jennika and Mutant Town itself.Â

Writing: 4 of 5 stars
Art: 5 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.8 of 5 stars

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Story: Brahm Revel
Art: Brahm Revel
Colors: Brahm Revel
Publisher: IDW Publishing

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.